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| United States Patent |
5,607,376
|
|
Magid
|
March 4, 1997
|
Convertible treadmill apparatus with left and right foot belts
Abstract
A treadmill or walker apparatus includes a mounting base, a pair of front
rollers mounted fixedly on rotatable left and right front shafts which
coaxially extend from a left front side to a right front side of the
mounting base, a pair of rear rollers mounted rotatably on at least one
rear shaft which extends from a left rear side to a right rear side of the
mounting base, endless left and right foot belts engaging respectively one
of the front rollers and one of the rear rollers, and a support unit
disposed between the front and rear rollers to provide a supporting
surface for the foot belts. The foot belts move independently and are to
be treaded individually by the feet of the user, thereby preventing the
action of the user's left foot from influencing the action of his right
foot and vice-versa when the apparatus is in use. The apparatus may be
used with a functional supporting frame that is in the form of a baby
chair, a baby stroller, an exercise walker or any other suitable form.
Disclosed structures include freely moving left and right side belts,
fixed-tandem concurrently moving left and right side belts, and the latter
moved by a motor.
| Inventors:
|
Magid; Sidney H. (1100 Gough St., No. 10A, San Francisco, CA 94109)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
541599 |
| Filed:
|
October 10, 1995 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
482/54; 482/69 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A63B 022/02 |
| Field of Search: |
482/69,54
198/783
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4204673 | May., 1980 | Speer | 482/54.
|
| 5411279 | May., 1995 | Magid | 482/54.
|
| 5538489 | Jul., 1996 | Magid | 482/54.
|
Primary Examiner: Reichard; Lynne A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: White; Douglas E.
Acronational Law Firm
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. pat.
application No. 08/276,996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,489, which was filed by
the applicant on Jul. 19, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part
application of application Ser. No. 08/236,585 filed on May 2, 1994 now
abandoned, and which, is a continuation-in-part application of application
Ser. No. 08/169,143 filed on Dec. 17, 1993. The latter application issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,279 on May 2, 1995.
Claims
I claim:
1. Treadmill apparatus including:
a mounting base attachable to a functional supporting frame, said mounting
base having first and second mounting base ends;
first and second rollers transversely mounted coaxially one on each side of
said first mounting base end with each said first and second roller
fixedly mounted on separate first and second shafts, which said first and
second shafts turn in first and second bracket pairs, respectively, one
said bracket pair for each said first and second shaft, said first and
second bracket pairs being mounted on said first mounting base end;
third and fourth rollers mounted rotatably on at least one third transverse
shaft extending from side to side on said second mounting base end with
said third shaft mounted in at least one third pair of brackets at said
second mounting base end, all said roller shafts being mounted with their
axes parallel to the axes of the others;
endless first and second foot belts, said first foot belt engaging said
first and third rollers, said second foot belt engaging said second and
fourth rollers;
support means for said foot belts comprising a flat-topped substrate base
with arcuate ends, said substrate base disposed longitudinally between
said rollers between said mounting base ends, said substrate base being
secured to said mounting base by means of side substrate base brackets,
said substrate base with said arcuate ends having a slippery top surface,
and
means associated with said foot belts to provide slippery contact with said
slippery substrate-base top surface,
whereby movements of said first and second foot belts will coincide with
the turning of said first and third rollers and said second and fourth
rollers, respectively.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
said slippery contact providing means includes
each of said first and second foot belts having an outer frictional
foot-belt surface and an inner frictional foot-belt surface, which said
inner frictional foot-belt surfaces engage, respectively, said first and
third rollers and said second and fourth rollers by being wound
circulatively around each said respective roller and around said substrate
base; and
endless first inner and second inner belts under, respectively, said first
and second foot belts, each said first and second inner belts having a
frictional outer inner-belt surface in contact with said frictional inner
foot-belt surfaces of said first and second foot belts, respectively, and
having slippery inner inner-belt surfaces in contact with said slippery
substrate-base top surface, said inner belts being wound circulatively
around said substrate base and around said arcuate substrate-base ends;
and further including
means to limit lateral movement of said foot belts and said inner belts
across said substrate base.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:
facing first and second inner end portions of said first and second shafts,
respectively, said inner shaft-end portions extending coaxially toward
each other beyond the brackets of said first and second bracket pairs on
which their said first and second shafts are mounted and said inner
shaft-end portions having a small space between them; and
a first collar having a first collar fixing means, which first collar is
mounted on one of said first and second inner shaft-end portions so said
first collar can releasably engage the other of said first and second
inner shaft-end portions,
whereby the engaging of said first collar fixing means onto said inner
shaft-end portions will cause said first and second rollers to move
concurrently in fixed tandem.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including:
an outer end portion of one of said first and second shafts, which outer
shaft-end portion extends beyond the bracket of said first and second
bracket pairs on which it is mounted;
an electric motor mounted on said mounting base and having a motor shaft
coaxially spaced slightly apart from said outer shaft-end portion; and
a second collar having a second collar fixing means, one at each
second-collar end, said second collar being mounted on said motor shaft so
said second collar can releasably engage said outer shaft-end portion,
whereby the engaging of second collar fixing means onto said inner
shaft-end portions and onto said motor shaft and said outer shaft-end
portion, respectively, will cause said first and second rollers to turn
concurrently in fixed tandem when said motor is energized.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:
a pair of ratchet gears attached in operative engagement one each with
either said first and second rollers or said third and fourth rollers; and
a pair of pawls located on said mounting base which releasably engage said
pair of ratchet gears.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
said slippery contact providing means includes
each of said first and second foot belts having an outer frictional
foot-belt surface and an inner slippery foot-belt surface that contacts
said slippery substrate-base top surface, said outer frictional foot-belt
surfaces of said first and second foot belts engaging, but not winding
around, said first and third rollers and said second and fourth rollers,
respectively, and winding around both arcuate substrate-base ends,
whereby, due to close positioning of each said roller to respective said
arcuate substrate-base ends, said inner slippery foot-belt surface of each
foot belt contacts and freely turns around said slippery arcuate
substrate-base ends, and said outer frictional foot-belt surfaces
frictionally engages and turns said rollers, so that said first foot belt
will turn together with said first and third rollers and said second foot
belt will turn with said second and third rollers;
and further including
means to limit lateral movement of said belts across said substrate base.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including:
an outer end portion of one of said first and second shafts, which outer
shaft-end portion extends beyond the bracket of said first and second
bracket pairs on which it is mounted;
an electric motor mounted on said mounting base and having a motor shaft
coaxially spaced slightly apart from said outer shaft-end portion; and
a second collar having a second collar fixing means, one at each
second-collar end, said second collar being mounted on said motor shaft so
said second collar can releasably engage said outer shaft-end portion,
whereby the engaging of second collar fixing means onto said inner
shaft-end portions and onto said motor shaft and said outer shaft-end
portion, respectively, will cause said first and second rollers to turn
concurrently in fixed tandem when said motor is energized.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including:
an outer end portion of one of said first and second shafts, which outer
shaft-end portion extends beyond the bracket on which it is mounted;
an electric motor mounted on said mounting base and having a motor shaft
coaxially spaced slightly apart from said outer shaft-end portion; and
a second collar having a second pair of set screws, one at each
second-collar end, said second collar being slidably mounted on said motor
shaft so said second collar can be slid to engage said outer shaft-end
portion,
whereby the tightening of said first and second set screw pairs onto said
inner shaft-end portions and onto said motor shaft and said outer
shaft-end portion, respectively, will cause said first and second rollers
to turn concurrently in fixed tandem when said motor is energized.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 further including:
a pair of ratchet gears attached in operative engagement one each with
either said first and second rollers or said third and fourth rollers; and
a pair of pawls located on said mounting base which releasably engage said
pair of ratchet gears.
Description
FIELD 0F THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to walker apparatuses, more particularly
to a convertible treadmill which prevents the action of the user's left
foot from influencing the of his right foot and vice-versa when the
treadmill apparatus is in use. It further relates to a structure that
provides means to convert independent foot belts to belts that move
concurrently together in fixed tandem, and to means for motorizing such
fixed-tandem belt pairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a running track disclosed in Russian Patent No.
961,712 and issued to Morozov comprises an endless rubberized bearing belt
(B1) mounted on pulleys (P) and a support deck (D) under the upper branch
of the bearing belt (B1). An inner endless belt (B2) is rounded freely on
the support deck (D) and is made of a material which has antifriction
properties with respect to the surface of the support deck (D). The
running track of Morozov is not suited for use as a treadmill apparatus by
people with uncoordinated feet movement, such as small children,
physically handicapped people and old people, since the left and right
feet of the user both tread a single, wide bearing belt (B1) at the same
time. Thus, a twisting moment (T1), (T2) applied by either the left foot
(L) or the right foot (R) when treading the left-side or right-side parts
of the bearing belt (B1) may influence smooth running of the latter
relative to the inner endless belt (B2).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,673 to Speer, Sr., discloses a dual-tread exerciser
which uses a large plurality of parallel roller bearings to support the
treads. Such roller bearings have proven to be uncomfortable on the feet
and are not suited for use by children and others having sensitive feet or
who desire a more comfortable feel, particularly when exercising barefoot.
Two motors are required to motorize the device of Speer, Sr.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dual-belt
treadmill or walker apparatus which prevents the action of the user's left
foot from influencing the action of his right foot and vice-versa when the
apparatus is in use and which is convertible for use in the manner of a
single-belt device.
More specifically, one object of the present invention is to provide a
treadmill apparatus with left and right foot belts that move independently
and that are to be treaded respectively by the right and left feet of the
user, thereby preventing the action of the user's left foot from
influencing the action of his right foot and vice-versa when the treadmill
apparatus is in use. (Note that in accordance with accepted drawing
conventions, left and right portions of an apparatus are labeled according
to the viewer's perspective when facing the front of the device or when
reading the drawing. Accordingly, when a user mounts the apparatus, his or
her right foot contacts what will be called herein the left belt.
Similarly, the user's left foot contacts the right belt.)
Another objective of the present invention is to provide means for
convening such a treadmill or walker apparatus back to the conventional
state wherein the left and right foot belts again move in fixed tandem.
Users may desire such convertibility, for example, in such cases as a
child growing older and becoming able to coordinate foot movements, a
patient becoming well and regaining such coordination, and the like.
Accordingly, the treadmill apparatus or treadmill has the facing end
portions of each separate front shaft extending toward each other beyond
the brackets on which the front shafts are mounted. A small space is
provided between the ends of said shafts. Journaled over the facing shaft
ends is a cylindrical collar having set screws or equivalent collar fixing
means at each end thereof. Preferably the collar is slidably mounted on
one shaft end so it can be slid to engage the end of the shaft extending
toward it. The tightening of the set screws onto the shafts ends will
connect, or gang, the left and right rollers together, causing them to
move together at the same time, in fixed tandem. Alternatively, one end of
the collar may be more or less permanently fixed to one shaft (by welding,
set screw or the like) and the opposite free end thereof arranged always
to extend over and around the other shaft. Tightening a set screw on the
free end gangs the shafts (and thereby the belts) in fixed tandem.
Loosening the collar fixing means frees them for independent
rotation--without the need to slide the collar back and forth.
Yet another objective is to provide means for motorizing the treadmill
apparatus when in the fixed-tandem belt state. Accordingly, the other end
of one of the front shafts extends beyond the outboard bracket on which it
is mounted. An electric motor is mounted on said mounting base with the
motor shaft spaced slightly from and aligned coaxially with the front
roller shaft that extends beyond its outboard bracket. Mounted on the
motor shaft is a second collar with a set screw or equivalent collar
fixing means at each end thereof, which collar can be slid to engage the
end of the roller shaft extending toward it. The tightening of the set
screws on the motor shaft collar will cause the left and right rollers to
turn together concurrently in tandem when the motor is energized. In
addition to being well suited for general exercise, this embodiment is
useful for treating injuries and certain kinds of illnesses wherein the
patient needs to be assisted in walking, or indeed, to be forced to walk
in order to recuperate.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill
apparatus which may be used with any of a number of functional supporting
frames, such as the functional supporting frame of an exercise treadmill
or walker. The latter has an adjustable hand bar for use by small
children, physically handicapped people, old people and by those who feel
more confident holding onto something while exercising.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill
apparatus which may be used with the functional supporting frame of a baby
stroller or a baby chair so as to provide a safe and effective way for
exercising a baby and for teaching the baby to stand and walk.
Accordingly, the treadmill apparatus of the present invention comprises a
mounting base, a pair of front rollers, a pair of rear rollers, endless
left and right foot belts, and a support means. The mounting base has left
and right front sides, independently rotatable left and right front shafts
extending along a common transverse axis from the left front side to the
right front side of the mounting base, left and right rear sides, and a
rear shaft extending from the left rear side to the right rear side. The
front rollers are mounted fixedly on the front shafts and are disposed
respectively on the left and right front sides of the mounting base. The
rear rollers are mounted rotatably on the rear shaft and are disposed
respectively on the left and right rear sides of the mounting base. Each
of the foot belts engages a respective one of the front rollers and a
respective one of the rear rollers. The support means is disposed between
the pair of front rollers and the pair of rear rollers and provides a
supporting base or surface for the foot belts. Thus, the presence of
weights (i.e., feet) which move separately on the foot belts between the
pair of front rollers and the pair of rear rollers will cause the foot
belts to move and the front and rear rollers to rotate.
The mounting base may further have two pair of spaced front brackets
disposed adjacent to the left and right front sides thereof and in the
front middle thereof and a pair of spaced rear brackets disposed adjacent
to the left and right rear sides thereof. The front shafts each have two
ends turning within a pair of front brackets, while the rear shaft has two
ends fixed respectively to the two rear brackets. The front shafts each
have retainers at two opposite end portions to limit lateral movement of
the front shafts. The rear shaft has a central portion provided with a
collar or like spacer to separate the rear rollers, and two opposite end
portions provided with spacers, collars or similar known retainers to
limit lateral movement of the rear rollers.
Each of the front rollers may have an outer end with a ratchet gear
attached thereto. The mounting base further has a pair of pawls which
releasably engage the ratchet gears on the front rollers.
In one embodiment of the treadmill apparatus of the present invention, each
of the endless left and right foot belts has a frictional inner surface
and is wound circulatively on the respective one of the front rollers and
on the respective one of the rear rollers. The support means comprises an
elongate solid substrate base and endless left and right inner belts. The
substrate base is secured on the mounting base and has left and right
sides, a flat slippery top surface and two arcuate ends, which ends
continue the slippery top surface. The inner belts are wound circulatively
on the arcuate ends of the substrate base and are disposed respectively on
the left and right sides of the substrate base. Each of the inner belts
has a slippery inner surface that contacts the substrate base and a
frictional outer surface that contacts the frictional inner surface of a
respective one of the foot belts. The substrate base further has a
downwardly projecting guide bracket which separates the inner belts and
the foot belts and limits their lateral movement. The substrate base is
held up by brackets which have a short pair of upwardly projecting flanges
that extend on opposite longitudinal edges of the substrate base.
In a further embodiment of the treadmill apparatus of the present
invention, the support means comprises a substrate base secured on the
mounting base and having a slippery top surface. Each arcuate end of the
substrate base continues the slippery outer top surface. Each of the foot
belts has a slippery inner surface that contacts the substrate base and
substrate base ends, and has a frictional outer surface. Each of the foot
belts is wound around the substrate base and passes between and is in
operating contact with one of the front rollers and the front substrate
base end. Each foot belt further passes between and is in operating
contact with one of the rear rollers and the rear substrate base end. The
substrate base further has a downwardly projecting guide bracket which
separates and limits the travel of the foot belts, and a pair of upwardly
projecting bracket flanges which extend on opposite longitudinal edges of
the substrate base.
Any one of the different embodiments of the treadmill apparatus of the
present invention may further comprise the functional supporting frame of
an exercise walker, a baby chair or a baby stroller. When used as an
exercise device, the treadmill or walker apparatus is an ideal way of
losing weight and keeping fit. When used as a baby chair or baby stroller,
the apparatus provides a safe and effective way for exercising a baby and
for teaching the baby to stand and walk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional running track which uses outer and inner
endless belts;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a
treadmill apparatus according to the present invention, the first
preferred embodiment being attached to a first example of a functional
supporting frame so as to serve as an exercise treadmill or walker;
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line 3--3;
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line 4--4;
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the first preferred embodiment when
attached to a second example of a functional supporting frame so as to
serve as a combined baby stroller (or chair) and walker;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a
treadmill apparatus according to the present invention.
______________________________________
Drawing Reference Numerals
______________________________________
B1 bearing belt
B2 inner belt
P pulleys
D deck
R right foot
L left foot
T1 moment
T2 moment
1a functional supporting frame
1b functional supporting frame
11 mounting base
12 front brackets
13 rear brackets
14 handrails
141 handbar
15 upper frame portion
16 lower frame portion
161 front wheels
162 rear wheels
1621 brake
17 baby seat
170 removable handle unit
173 leg holes
2 substrate base
21 slippery top surface
22 front end
23 rear end
24 side brackets
25 flanges
26 support unit
3 left inner belt
3' right inner belt
31 frictional outer belt surface
32 slippery inner belt surface
4 left foot belt
4' right foot belt
41 left front roller
41' right front roller
411 left front shaft
411' right front shaft
411a retainers
411b spring clip rings
42 rear rollers
421 rear shaft
421a retainers
423 spacer
44 second collar
441 set screws
45 first collar
451 set screws
46 motor
461 motor shaft
510 guide bracket
6 left unidirectional control means
6' right unidirectional control means
61 ratchet gears
62 pawls
______________________________________
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be
noted that like elements are indicated by the same reference numerals
throughout the disclosure. Furthermore, as noted above, "left" and "right"
are conventionally described with respect to a frontal view of the
apparatus as seen in the drawing. When a user mounts the apparatus, his or
her perspective is reversed, i.e., the user's left foot is placed on the
what nevertheless will be called herein the right side of the apparatus
and the user's right foot is placed on what will be called the left side
thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the first preferred embodiment of a treadmill
apparatus according to the present invention is shown to comprise a
mounting base 11; a pair of left and right front rollers 41, 41'; a pair
of rear rollers 42; endless left and right foot belts 4, 4'; and a support
unit 26. The mounting base 11 has a pair of spaced front brackets 12
disposed adjacent to left and right front sides of the mounting base 11; a
left front shaft 411 which extends from the left front side to the front
mid-portion and which has two ends rotatably journaled respectively within
a first pair of front brackets 12; a right front shaft 411' which extends
coaxially with the left front shaft 411 from the front mid-portion to the
right front side and which has two ends rotatably journaled respectively
within a second pair of front brackets 12; a pair of spaced rear brackets
13 disposed adjacent to the left and right rear sides of the mounting base
11; and a rear shaft 421 which extends from the left rear side to the
right rear side and which has two ends secured on the rear brackets 13.
The left and right front rollers 41, 41' are mounted fixedly on the
rotatable front shafts 411, 411' and are disposed respectively on the left
and right front sides of the mounting base 11. The fixed-roller front
shafts 411, 411' are further provided, immediately adjacent to brackets
12, with a plurality of shaft retainers 411a in amounts and at positions
commonly known in the art to be appropriate for limiting lateral movement
of the shafts within their brackets. For clarity of illustration, only two
schematic retainers 411a are shown in the broadly schematic view of FIG.
3. Other types of suitable shaft retainers would include spring clips
fitting in circumferential grooves in the shafts. For example,
conventional spring clip rings 411b are appropriate in narrow spaces, such
as at the inboard ends of the rollers 41, 41'. In practice, retainers 411a
will be mounted immediately adjacent to brackets 12, to minimize
transverse play.
The rear rollers 42 are mounted rotatably on the fixed rear shaft 421 and
are disposed respectively on left and right rear sides of the mounting
base 11. An appropriate conventional bearing, collar or loose spacer 423
(hidden in the drawing) is mounted rotatably on a central portion of the
rear shaft 421 to separate the rear rollers 42. The rear shaft 421 is
further provided with a pair of retainers 421a on two opposite end
portions thereof to limit lateral movement of the rear rollers 42.
Retainers 421a may further be augmented or replaced with collars, spacers,
clip rings, or similar loose fittings, whose shapes and functions are well
known in the art, with which to limit side to side movement of the rear
rollers 42.
In order for the apparatus to function in accordance with the objectives of
this invention, the front rollers 41, 41' must be immovably fixed to a
pair of rotatable front shafts 411, 411'. However, the rear rollers 42
might be rotatable about a single fixed rear shaft (as drawn and
described), might be rotatable about a single rotatable rear shaft, might
be fixed to a pair of rotatable rear shafts, might be rotatable about a
pair of fixed rear shafts, or might be made independently rotatable by any
other such rear shaft means. Preferably, the rear shaft 421 is screwed in
place on the brackets 13. Were rear shaft 421 to be made rotatable,
suitable collars, retainers or other common mechanisms would be added as
appropriate to restrain it and its associated rollers from lateral travel.
To allow for some lateral play, a rotatable rear shaft would likely have
its ends extend somewhat out beyond their respective brackets, as would
all front shaft ends.
Each of the foot belts 4, 4' engages a respective one of the from rollers
41, 41' and a respective one of the rear rollers 42. In this embodiment,
the foot belts 4, 4', are wound circulatively on the respective one of the
front rollers 41, 41' and on the respective one of the rear rollers 42.
Turning now to the sectional detail shown in FIG. 3, roller shafts 411,
411' have journaled around their adjacent coaxial inboard ends a first
hollow cylindrical collar 45. Collar fixing means, preferably comprising a
pair of set screws 451, allows the first collar to be releasably secured
to the inboard ends. When the collar fixing means is engaged by tightening
the set screws 451, the shafts 411, 411' are ganged together so as to
cause the front rollers 41, 41' to move simultaneously together in fixed
tandem. However, in normal operation of the device, independent travel of
the front rollers is desired, in which case one of the set screws 451 is
loosened. This frees one shaft end from the collar 45 and releases the
front shafts for independent rotation. Preferably, to prevent any friction
between the collar 45 and the free shaft end, both set screws 451 will be
loosened and the collar slid to one side or the other so as to clear the
small gap between the inboard ends of the shafts 41, 41'. Note that for
clarity of illustration, the collar 45 has been drawn slightly elongated.
In actual practice, it will be short enough to be easily slid back behind
the shaft end gap.
When the treadmill apparatus is in the ganged or fixed-tandem belt state
described above (the collar 45 being rigidly fixed to both front shafts
411, 411'), it may be desirable in certain applications to motorize the
operation of the foot belts 4, 4' through the activation of the electrical
motor 46. This may be accomplished by means of a second hollow cylindrical
collar 44 or equivalent shaft-ganging means. The motor 46 is mounted on a
suitable extension of the mounting base 11 and has a motor shaft 461
aligned coaxially with and spaced slightly apart from the outboard end of
the left front shaft 4 11, which outboard end projects laterally outward
from its associated outboard bracket 12. The second collar 44 can be slid
toward and over the adjacent end of the left roller shaft 4 11, as shown,
and both set screws 441 tightened. The tightening of all set screws 441,
451 on both collars 44, 45, respectively, will cause the left and right
front rollers 41, 41' to turn together concurrently in fixed tandem, and
thereby the belts 4, 4' as well, when the motor 46 is energized.
As noted above, in the presently preferred mode of operation, the collars
44, 45 will be loosened on at least one end each thereof so that the foot
belts 4, 4' may be operated manually and independent or each other by the
feet of the user.
Referring again in general to FIGS. 1-4, a unidirectional control means 6,
6' is installed to permit only unidirectional rotation of the left and
right foot belts 4, 4'. In this embodiment, the control means 6, 6'
includes a pair of ratchet gears 61 attached to or near outer ends of the
front rollers 41, 41' and mounted fixedly on the left and right shafts
411, 411'. It further includes a pair of pawls 62 secured to the mounting
base 11 and engaging one of the ratchet gears 61. This permits only
unidirectional rotation of the front rollers 41, 41', thereby preventing
bi-directional movement of the foot belts 4, 4'. A pawl release means (not
shown), chosen from of a number of available conventional pawl and ratchet
designs, may be provided to release selectively the pawls 62 from the
ratchet gears 61 in a known manner, to permit reciprocating movement of
the foot belts 4, 4'. This could be done when it is desired, for example,
to use the apparatus as a ski exerciser. Of course, the ratchet gears may
be attached to the rear rollers 42 to achieve the same result.
The support unit 26 is disposed between the pair of front rollers 41, 41'
and the pair of rear rollers 42 and provides a substantially flat
supporting surface or base for the foot belts 4, 4'.
In this embodiment, the support unit 26 includes an elongate substrate base
2, preferably of thick solid construction, secured on a pair of side
brackets 24 that extend upwardly from opposite longitudinal sides of the
mounting base 11. The unit further includes endless left and right inner
belts 3, 3' wound respectively on left and right sides of the substrate
base 2. The pair of brackets 24 (or, alternatively, the substrate base 2)
has a pair of flanges 25 extending upwardly only about 1/4 inch along
opposite longitudinal edges of the substrate base (the extent of such
extension being exaggerated somewhat in the drawing). Inwardly-directed
narrow strips or fillets could be added to, or in place of, the flange
extensions 25 to fill in substantially all of the small gap between the
flanges 25 and the outer edges of belts 3, 3', 4, and 4' (FIG. 4). Such
filler strips would serve as means to limit lateral movement of the inner
belts 3, 3' and the foot belts 4, 4'.
The substrate base 2 has a flat slippery top surface 21 and arcuate front
and rear ends 22, 23. The inner belts 3, 3' are wound circulatively on the
arcuate front and rear ends 22, 23 of the substrate base 2 and are
disposed respectively on left and right sides of the substrate base 2.
Each of the inner belts 3, 3' has a slippery inner surface 32 that
contacts the top surface 21 of the substrate base 2, and a frictional
outer surface 31 that contacts a respective one of the foot belts 4, 4'.
Each of the foot belts 4, 4' has frictional inner and outer surfaces and
an upper branch which overlaps the respective one of the inner belts 3,
3'. The inner belts 3, 3' of this embodiment comprise one means associated
with the foot belts 4, 4' to provide slippery contact with the
TEFLON-coated or silicone-coated substrate-base top surface 21.
Affixed across the bottom of the substrate base 2 is an downwardly
projecting guide bracket 510 which groups and separates by left group and
right group the inner belts 3, 3+ and the foot belts 4, 4'. The bracket
510 is the preferred means to limit lateral movement of the belt groups.
Preferably, however, for safety purposes, as well as to provide an
attractive overall appearance, moving parts (other than the intended
contact portions of the belts) and other delicate or dangerous parts will
be protected with appropriate molding covers and facing strips. For
example, a thin flat strip should be placed on the top of the substrate
base 2 in the gap between the belt groups. Covers for the belt ends would
be appropriate at the ends of the substrate base 2. Such moldings could
contain further means to limit lateral movement of the belts.
When in use, the user's feet drive a respective foot belt 4, 4', rather
than a single, common wide belt as taught in the conventional running
track described beforehand. Thus, the foot belts 4, 4' move independently
when treaded by, respectively, the right and left feet of the user,
thereby preventing the action of the user's left foot from influencing the
action of his right foot and vice-versa to permit natural, comfortable and
a more ergonomic form of walking when the treadmill apparatus of the
present invention is in use.
When the user applies a moving weight, such as his feet, on the left and
right foot belts 4, 4' between the pair of front rollers 41, 41' and the
pair of rear rollers 42, the foot belts 4, 4' will drive frictionally the
rollers 41, 41', 42. Due to the slippery top surface 21 of the substrate
base 2 and the slippery inner surface 32 of the inner belts 3, 3' and due
to the frictional outer surface 31 of the inner belts 3, 3' and the
frictional inner surface of the foot belts 4, 4', the foot belts 4, 4' and
the inner belts 3, 3' slide smoothly on the substrate base 2 when the user
treads on the foot belts 4, 4'. The frictional outer surface of the foot
belts 4, 4' ensures traction with the user's feet so as to enable the foot
belts 4, 4' to be driven properly.
It is noted that the arcuate ends 22, 23 of the substrate base 2 may be
replaced by two coaxial pairs of rollers (not shown) to achieve a similar
effect in any of the embodiments of the invention.
Referring once more to FIG. 2, the mounting base 11 is attachable to a
functional supporting frame 1a. In this embodiment, the functional
supporting frame 1a comprises a pair of handrails 14 mounted on opposite
longitudinal sides of the mounting base 11 to permit use of the walker
apparatus as an exercise treadmill. The handrails 14 are generally of an
inverted V-shape. A hand bar 141 extends between the handrails 14 and has
two ends connected adjustably along one side of each of the handrails 14
in a known manner. The walker apparatus is thus ideal for use by small
children, physically handicapped people, old people and by those who feel
more confident holding onto something while exercising. This form of an
exercise treadmill is well suited for emplacement in hospitals and in
retirement homes, and is ideal for use by those who wish to keep fit and
lose weight.
Referring to FIG. 5, the first preferred embodiment may be attached to a
functional supporting frame 1b that is in the form of a baby stroller. The
functional supporting frame 1b comprises an upper frame portion 15; a
lower frame portion 16 provided with front and rear wheels 161, 162 and
connected to the mounting base 11 to support the mounting base 11 under
the upper frame portion 15; and a baby seat 17 secured to the upper frame
portion 15. The functional supporting frame 1b may be provided with a
removable handle unit 170, which is attached removably to the upper and
lower frame portions 15, 16 for pushing the functional supporting frame
1b. Furthermore, the front wheels 161 may be provided with a respective
swivel which is rotatable about longitudinal axes of supporting legs of
the front wheels 161 in a known manner. The rear wheels 162 may be
provided with a respective brake 1621. As can readily be seen, with the
handle 170 removed and with the wheels 161 either locked with the brake
1621 or removed, the functional supporting frame 1b serves as a stationary
baby chair having an integral walker. Ratchet gears with pawls
(unidirectional control means 6') can aid in proper walking.
When the first preferred embodiment is used with the functional supporting
frame 1b a pair of leg holes 173 formed in the baby seat 17 permits the
legs of a baby to extend toward the mounting base 11 so as to tread the
foot belts 4, 4'. A baby thus can be taught to stand and walk with the use
of the walker apparatus of the present invention. Unlike the conventional
wheeled open-bottom baby walker, the present invention is safe to use
since the baby is prevented from moving around the room and from bumping
into furniture or from falling down the stairs. The functional supporting
frame 1b may be further provided with safety belts (not shown) for
strapping the baby thereon.
Referring to FIG. 6, the second preferred embodiment of a treadmill
apparatus according to the present invention is shown to be substantially
similar to the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the support
unit 26 comprises a substrate base 2, preferably solid, secured on the
mounting base 11 and having a slippery top surface 21. However, no endless
inner belts are employed in the second preferred embodiment. Each of the
foot belts 4, 4' is wound around the substrate base 2 and passes between
and is in operating contact with one of the front rollers 41, 41' and with
the front arcuate substrate base end 22. Each further passes between and
is in operating contact with one of the rear rollers 42 and with the rear
arcuate substrate base end 23. Each of the foot belts 4, 4' has an outer
surface which is made of a friction material, such as rubber, to provide
traction with the user's feet, and an inner surface which is made of a
slippery material, such as a TEFLON-coated or silicone-coated material, to
contact the substrate base the foot belts 4, 4' have different properties,
each of the foot belts 4, 4' may be in the form of a laminate, the layers
of which may be joined in any suitable fashion, such as by sewing, gluing
and the like. Alternatively, a TEFLON, silicone, or like slippery coating
may be applied directly on the inner surfaces of the foot belts 4, 4' to
achieve the same effect. The slippery inner surface of the foot belts 4,
4' of this embodiment comprises alternative means associated with the foot
belts to provide slippery contact with the silicone-coated substrate-base
top surface 21.
As with the first preferred embodiment, the substrate base 2 further has at
least one guide bracket 510 which separates the foot belts 4, 4', and a
short pair of upwardly extending flanges 25, preferably on the side
brackets 24, which flanges extend along opposite longitudinal edges of the
belts. With suitable attached filler strips, the flanges 25 could be used
to further limit lateral movement of the foot belts 4, 4'.
Like the previous embodiments, the second preferred embodiment can also be
installed with either of the previously described functional supporting
frames 1a or 1b. The operation of the second preferred embodiment is
substantially similar to that of the first preferred embodiment and will
not be detailed further.
While the term "convertible" is used to describe the preferred embodiments
of the present invention, each of three kinds of apparatus are intended to
be covered herein and in the claims hereto as separate and combination
structures, namely, freely moving left and right side belts, fixed-tandem
concurrently moving left and right side belts, and the latter moved by a
motor.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is
considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood
that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is
intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and
scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent arrangements. As just one example, the from
and rear roller pairs of each embodiment could have means for increasing
or decreasing the distance between them longitudinally so as to stretch or
relax the belts and so vary the effort required to operate the apparatus.
As another example, the coating on the substrate base may consist of a
material, such as paper, coated with a suitable slippery substance. Such
paper may be attached to the top of the substrate base, forming the
slippery top surface thereof, and could be easily replaced if it should
wear out.
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